It's not starting off as a good year for "The Originals." After being left out of an early renewals list by The CW, the spin-off series of "The Vampire Diaries" has suffered a shake-up behind the scenes. It has been revealed that Michael Narducci is leaving his post as showrunner.

Narducci has been with the show since the beginning. And ahead of the series' season 4 premiere, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively broke the news that Narducci is departing the series for a deal with ABC Studios. His new deal involves a two-year contract that will see Narducci developing and creating projects for the network.

However, fans need not worry because The CW already has a backup plan for "The Originals." While the series has yet to be renewed for a fifth season, Julie Plec is ready to take the baton from Narducci should the show get the order.

"Mike got an opportunity he couldn't pass up," Plec told the publication. "He has been a brilliant partner and friend and I'm going to miss him desperately."

Plec is no stranger to showrunning. She currently stands at the helm of "The Vampire Diaries," which is on its eighth and final season. Plec was also the one who created "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals."

However, there will not even be a show to run if "The Originals" does not end up getting renewed by The CW. Rumors of its cancellation sparked after the network released its early list of renewals, which did not contain the series. It looks like there is hope for a fifth season, though, as The CW president Mark Pedowitz pointed out.

"I am a big Julie Plec fan. I am hoping that 'The Originals' can continue," Pedowitz said at the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour. "A lot of it will be dependent upon performance, but I'm counting on Julie to deliver for the season."

"The Originals" season 4, which will introduce a new villain, will premiere on March 17.